Chapter 1268: The Benefits of a Change in Status
Three days had passed since the tournament concluded. Most of the people who had come to the Underworld to watch the spectacle had already left, with the Underworld Officials from Jingling Continent departing the fastest.
The tournament of the Jingling Continent Underworld Office had prompted significant actions from the Spirit Mediums. Although their primary targets were the most influential Death God Temples within Jingling Continent, Spirit Mediums in other cities, upon learning of the departure of the Underworld Office's Emissaries of Death, similarly launched attacks on their local Underworld Offices.
Among the Night Watchers who remained in the mortal realm, these Underworld Officials naturally left their seconds-in-command to manage affairs. These seconds-in-command almost all possessed special means to contact or alert their respective Emissaries of Death that something had gone wrong, the most common method being the Death God Pendant. Therefore, these Emissaries of Death who had come to the Underworld to watch the spectacle, or to cheer on, upon realizing that something had happened in their respective areas, dared not remain in the Underworld, and swiftly rushed back.
There were also some Emissaries of Death whose areas of responsibility had not experienced any incidents, but for safety's sake, they still followed suit and returned to the mortal realm, though not as hastily as the former.
Even without rushing, three days were enough for eighty or ninety percent of the Underworld Officials from the mortal realm to depart. It was precisely because of this that the Underworld today was significantly quieter compared to the past few days.
With fewer people, business for all the major shops naturally declined. For some shops whose business was already not great, it became even more desolate, as expected.
The business of Stillness Apothecary was also significantly worse compared to before the tournament began. However, Stillness Apothecary, after all, sold various medicines, which were commonly used and essential consumables. Furthermore, the quality of their medicines was not bad, and their prices were considerably cheaper than other apothecaries. Therefore, Stillness Apothecary's business was still decent. Although it couldn't compare to the booming business during the period before the tournament, compared to other less popular shops, Stillness Apothecary's business was quite good.
The main door, which Duan Yangcheng had damaged that day, had already been replaced. It had been replaced with a grander, more imposing one. After all, a main door was the "face" of a shop; naturally, a grander appearance was better. If one didn't have the means, there was no need to mention it, and one should save where possible. But with the means, one definitely had to replace it with a respectable one.
However, she felt this matter was beyond her scope of authority, so she didn't proceed. But she kept it in mind, planning to find an opportunity to properly consult Yang Haoran, hoping to gain his approval.
Outside Stillness Apothecary today, there weren't many people lining up to have items appraised. However, Ban Kui, just as always, dutifully stood by the main door, holding his post.
Not to mention there were still a few people queuing outside the main door, even if no one was queuing, he had never left his post.
Outside the main door, the space suddenly fluctuated violently. This scene not only caught Ban Kui's attention but also drew the gaze of the few people queuing at the entrance. Without exception, they were all startled, because they all clearly understood what a sudden violent fluctuation in this space meant: it meant someone was about to arrive via spatial teleportation.
Tearing space in the mortal realm was not a difficult feat. As long as one wasn't within a forbidden barrier, there were simply too many people capable of tearing space; they all possessed the ability for spatial teleportation.
But this was not the mortal realm, but the Underworld. To teleport here by tearing space, was not something just anyone could do, nor something just anyone dared to do. Without absolute power, one could not achieve it. Even with power, but without sufficient status, one similarly wouldn't dare.
It was precisely because the few people queuing understood this that they were so startled at this moment.
Some customers entering and exiting Stillness Apothecary also sensed the spatial anomaly. They, too, stopped in their tracks, their gaze fixed on the area where the space fluctuated violently. Under the watchful eyes of these people, a rift suddenly appeared in space. A spatial tear then formed, and two figures emerged from within it.
"Who are these two? How come I've never heard of them before, nor seen them."
"Hiss. . . These two seem to be Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing, the newly appointed Guardians of the Jingling Continent Underworld Office. It's normal for you not to recognize them, as you only emerged from seclusion today."
"So, they are Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing. It's not the first time I've heard these two names since I came out of seclusion today. But what are they wearing? It looks like Death God attire, yet it doesn't quite seem to be. I recall the Guardians' Death God attire looking different from this."
"How should I know? But now is not the time to discuss this. We must quickly pay our respects."
Whispers emanated from the few people queuing, and the two individuals they were discussing were indeed Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing, who had just arrived.
Although their conversation was very hushed, the other people present still heard it clearly. So, whether they knew Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing or not, everyone now knew who these two suddenly appearing individuals were, and thus, they all bowed to the two.
Seeing that the arrivals were Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing, Ban Kui immediately hurried over to them, and respectfully bowed.
"Boss, Madam Boss!"
At this moment, in addition to his respectful demeanor, Ban Kui's eyes also held strong admiration. Although he wasn't an Underworld Official from the mortal realm, nor a Ghost Official from the Underworld, having worked at Stillness Apothecary since its opening, he had gained considerable knowledge. Thus, he understood what being a Guardian meant. And now that his boss and madam boss had both become Guardians, his heart was not only filled with adoration for Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing, but also immense pride.
Yang Haoran nodded with a smile. Xu Meijing merely hummed faintly, in response to Ban Kui.
"Heh heh, business doesn't seem to be great today."
Yang Haoran's gaze swept over the few people queuing at the entrance, then he spoke to Ban Kui with a smile.
"Business today is indeed not very good. However, before today, business had been booming, almost selling out all the medicines in our shop."
Ban Kui replied respectfully. Upon hearing that the medicines in the apothecary were almost sold out, Yang Haoran couldn't help but feel a little surprised. Because when he had come to the Underworld this time, he had restocked a considerable amount of goods. Coupled with the previous inventory, theoretically, the medicines should have been very plentiful. How could they have almost sold out in just a few days?
Although he had some doubts in his heart, he didn't ask further. After all, this was not the time to inquire about such matters.
He nodded to Ban Kui again with a smile, then turned his gaze to the few people queuing at the entrance and those entering/exiting the apothecary. At this moment, these few people were still maintaining their bowing posture.
"Heh heh, there's no need for such formality, everyone. Just go about your business. Don't mind us."
With Yang Haoran's words, the few people finally straightened up. However, they didn't become presumptuous because of Yang Haoran's words; they all respectfully stood still.
"Forget it, let's go hand over the souls in our possession first. If you and I remain here, they will certainly feel uncomfortable."
Xu Meijing spoke faintly. These words were addressed to Yang Haoran. Immediately after, she spoke to Ban Kui, who was in front of her.
"After you finish serving these customers, the apothecary's business for today will conclude. You all can wait for us inside the shop; we will be back soon."
Ban Kui didn't know why Xu Meijing made such a decision, nor did he have any desire to know. For him, he only needed to obey orders, so he didn't ask a single word.
"Yes, Madam Boss!"
After receiving Ban Kui's respectful and affirmative reply, Xu Meijing waved her hand, tearing a spatial rift, and taking Yang Haoran with her, left Stillness Apothecary. After the two departed, the few people present finally breathed a true sigh of relief. The enormous disparity in status and power indeed brought considerable psychological pressure to them.
Ban Kui returned inside the shop, relayed Xu Meijing's recent orders to Gu Yi. Immediately after, he returned to the main entrance to stand guard. If any more customers were to come to the apothecary, he would politely refuse them according to Xu Meijing's instructions.
"Heh heh, brother, you've worked hard."
An Underworld Official queuing to have items appraised greeted Ban Kui with a smile as he passed by. A customer leaving the apothecary also smiled amicably at Ban Kui.
Before Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing became Guardians, Ban Kui had never encountered such a situation. It was already quite polite if these customers didn't speak ill of him; some would even show him disdain, or look at him with contempt.
However, after Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing became Guardians, the news that Stillness Apothecary was their property also spread. As a result, many customers who came to Stillness Apothecary made a complete 180-degree turn in their attitude towards him. There was no longer disdain, no longer contempt, and certainly no verbal abuse; what remained were smiles, greetings, and politeness.
These customers not only treated him this way, but also everyone else at Stillness Apothecary, including the two new attendants, no exception, let alone Gu Yi, who was the shop manager.
Although Ban Kui didn't particularly like using his brain, he wasn't brainless. He was naturally very clear in his heart why these customers' attitudes towards them had undergone such a drastic change, after all, this wasn't some difficult problem to figure out.
However, Ban Kui did not take advantage of this to do anything out of line. On the contrary, he continued as usual, simply focusing on doing his own job well.
When Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing returned to Stillness Apothecary again, all the souls in their possession had already been handed in, in exchange for a considerable number of Soul Pills.
Originally, when they came to the Underworld this time, they had considered first handing in the souls in their hands to exchange for Soul Pills. However, at the time, to prepare for the tournament, time was pressing, so the two postponed the matter. After the tournament concluded, the two remained at headquarters by Luo Yao's order, never coming out. Therefore, these souls remained in their possession until they were all handed in today.
When handing in the souls, Yang Haoran again encountered the same Ghost Official who was in charge of the matter last time. Yang Haoran did not look down on the other party due to his change in status. He put on no airs and chatted cheerfully with this person for a few more sentences. On the contrary, the Ghost Official seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.
At this moment, there were no longer any customers outside Stillness Apothecary. Not only was Ban Kui guarding the main entrance of Stillness Apothecary, but Gu Yi and the two attendants were also guarding the main entrance with Ban Kui. It was clear that all four of them were specifically waiting for Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing.
Seeing Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing emerge from the spatial rift, the four immediately went up to them, and respectfully bowed to the two.
"Greetings, Boss! Greetings, Madam Boss!"
The four bowed in unison. Xu Meijing still responded with her usual faint hum, and Yang Haoran similarly nodded with his usual smile.
"Heh heh, let's go. We can talk more inside."
Yang Haoran spoke with a smile, then walked into Stillness Apothecary side-by-side with Xu Meijing. Gu Yi and the other three followed closely behind.
After entering the apothecary, Yang Haoran first checked the various medicines on the shelves. It was indeed as Ban Kui had said; there truly weren't many medicines left in the apothecary now.
As for Xu Meijing, she wasn't in the mood to inspect the goods on the shelves. After entering the apothecary, she sat down behind the counter, took out the Underworld Iron Tome, and began flipping through it. One female attendant, arranged by Gu Yi, stayed by her side, serving her tea and water, carefully attending to her. Meanwhile, Gu Yi, Ban Kui, and the other attendant followed closely behind Yang Haoran.
"Heh heh, why did these medicines sell out so quickly?"
After Yang Haoran finished inspecting the shelves, he asked Gu Yi with a smile. Upon hearing this, Gu Yi's face immediately broke into a smile, and she promptly replied.
"Before the tournament began, business in our shop was booming. That's because the number of Underworld Officials from the mortal realm was simply too high during that period. When they came to the Underworld, they naturally had to do some purchasing, and essential items like pills were certainly among them. So, during that time, our shop's business was very good."
After a slight pause in her voice, Gu Yi continued speaking.
"On the day of the tournament, our business started off very poorly, because everyone went to watch the matches. Plus, most people had already finished purchasing various items, so not many came to buy pills. However, later on, many customers gradually arrived. They were all Underworld Officials from the mortal realm, and almost all of them were from Jingling Continent. It was precisely their appearance that caused our apothecary's business to boom again, only easing up a little today."
As she spoke, Gu Yi's expression grew excited, and her smile became even brighter due to her inner excitement.
"Boss, I actually understand clearly in my heart: those customers after the tournament were almost all coming for you and Madam Boss. Because you both became Guardians, that's why they swarmed into our Stillness Apothecary. I actually think their true purpose for coming to our Stillness Apothecary might not have been to buy pills."
Even if Gu Yi hadn't said this, Yang Haoran already knew it very well in his heart.
"Heh heh, it doesn't matter. Whatever their purpose for coming to our Stillness Apothecary, as long as they buy our Stillness Apothecary's pills, that's enough."
Yang Haoran chuckled faintly. Gu Yi chuckled upon hearing this, then hurriedly nodded, looking like a shrewd merchant.
"Heh heh, Boss is right. Our Stillness Apothecary sells medicine. As long as they come to our Stillness Apothecary and buy pills, that's all that matters. The rest is completely unimportant."
As she spoke, Gu Yi suddenly remembered something else, and promptly continued speaking to Yang Haoran.
"Oh, Boss, after the tournament, Sister Yun Yao personally sent you a congratulatory gift."
Yang Haoran's face showed a hint of surprise, then he quickly regained his smile. However, at this very moment, Xu Meijing's aloof voice entered his ears.
"Yang Haoran, who is Yun Yao?"
Xu Meijing spoke faintly. Although her tone showed no trace of anger, Gu Yi, being a woman herself, detected displeasure in Xu Meijing's words.
Gu Yi heard the displeasure in Xu Meijing's tone. Yang Haoran also heard the displeasure in Xu Meijing's tone.
Gu Yi felt a bad premonition in her heart. She stuck out her tongue, then looked at Yang Haoran with a hint of embarrassment. But to her surprise, Yang Haoran's expression had not changed at all at this moment; he still wore that faint smile.
"Yun Yao is just a friend of mine. I've only met her once. She helped me, and I was equally generous to her. Perhaps it's precisely because of this that I left a good impression on her. That's why, having successfully won the Guardian position this time, she personally brought a congratulatory gift to me."
Yang Haoran placed a porcelain bottle containing pills back on the shelf. As he walked towards Xu Meijing, he spoke with a smile.
Seeing this, Gu Yi and the other two hurriedly followed behind Yang Haoran. Gu Yi, who had previously been extremely excited, dared not utter another word at this moment.
"You seem to have quite a few female friends around you. Besides that white snake, now some Yun Yao has popped up. You're quite something, Yang Haoran."
Xu Meijing frowned slightly, and spoke coldly. Anyone could detect the displeasure in her tone.
Yang Haoran's smile stiffened on his face. He twitched slightly, then hastily explained with a smile, though his smile at this moment felt somewhat awkward.
"Heh heh, well. . . um. . . how should I put this? Whether it's Bai Xue or Yun Yao, they are just my friends. I absolutely have no improper thoughts about them. I can swear to the heavens on this."
Xu Meijing gave Yang Haoran a sidelong glance, then shifted her gaze to Gu Yi, who was behind Yang Haoran.
"What is this congratulatory gift Yun Yao sent? Let me see."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yi instinctively trotted towards the counter, ready to retrieve the congratulatory gift as Xu Meijing instructed. But after only a few steps, she remembered something. She halted, turned back to look at Yang Haoran, with a troubled expression.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, my dear girl, can you please not look back at me? If you look back at me now, it's not just that Xiao Jing will think there's something between Yun Yao and me, even I'll start to wonder if I really have some ambiguous relationship with her. Go on, go on. Whatever the congratulatory gift she sent, just quickly bring it out for your Madam Boss to inspect."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yi gave an awkward smile, then bustled back to the counter.
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